Rays Rumors: More Interested In Jason Hammel & Jeff Niemann; Gary Sheffield Prefers Rays
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 31, 2009 11:15 AM EDT
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PrintWe already know the Rockies, Padres and Pirates have shown interest in Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann, but Ken Rosenthal adds the Indians, Rangers and Nationals to the talks. Rosenthal also mentions that the Rays don't need to trade either one and could keep both on the roster if they choose.
The Rays would like to move right-hander Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann, both of whom are out of options. But the team could keep both pitchers and cut right-hander Lance Cormier if it does not receive an attractive trade offer.
Personally, I think the team is better off keeping Niemann and Cormier, but I'm also against selling low on a player just because everybody wants to move him. It's important to remember that all of this is just speculation and nobody from the Rays has said anything about a trade. In almost all these reports, it says the other teams have shown interest, which is probably true, but there is nothing directly from the Rays that indicates any movement. Andrew Friedman usually moves in silence and I wouldn't be surprised if a deal when down with a team nobody has mentioned.
As for the Gary Sheffield talk(H/T to Vin), while Sheff may prefer to play for the Rays, It just doesn't make sense. The Rays outfield is crowded already and they already have a right handed DH in Pat Burrell. If an injury were occur that could change, but I don't see a fit right now.
Joe Maddon is flattered by the news of Sheff preferring the Rays
If Gary Sheffield is interested in signing with the Rays, they seem at least willing to think about it, though it seems he would have to be able to play rightfield since Pat Burrell is going to be the primary DH."That's very complimentary that he would want to come play for us,'' manager Joe Maddon said. "I have so much respect for this guy as a baseball player. I've gotten to know him a little bit over the last couple years, just having abstract conversations with him. I saw him during the off-season he's in great shape, he's a very strong person. And I like him. Conversationally I really like him. I don't know, again, it's very complimentary that he would want to play with us, and beyond that I have no idea what would happen.''---Heater
It is nice that Sheffield wants to play for the Rays, but again a 40 year old with a declining bat, a below average glove and a bad reputation doesn't seem to fit the Rays needs in 2009.
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is it just me or does Sheffield look like
Sug Knight in that picture above?
I agree with you about the moving Hammel. I don’t feel the Rays should just move him for the sake of moving Hammel. They should try to get more then a roster filler in the low A level.
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions
"Personally, I think the team is better off keeping Niemann and Cormier, but I'm also against selling low on a player just because everybody wants to move him"
Selling low would be releasing Cormier for nothing, which would just be a stupid, stupid move if it’s unanimous that Cormier helps this team more than Hammel.
Keeping all three probably means carrying 13 pitchers to start the year, and using just Aybar and Kapler as the backups. Or sending Sonnanstine to Durham to start the year, and having both Niemann and Hammel in the rotation (which is feasible, but would be a rotten move). Or an injury. The team and the press can blow smoke all they want to, but as I’ve been saying since the day we signed Cormier, the team will need to get rid of someone before the season starts, probably below value.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
Also
Why is it that nobody’s calling to release Percival anymore? Honestly, if we need to get rid of someone for nothing, he makes a lot more sense to release than either Hammel or Cormier.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
Becuase if Percival is healthy, he's better then all three of those guys.
Check out my blog on web development at kericr.wordpress.com
I'm the leader of Camp Cormier.
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 31, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
My only concern with Cormier is that he hasn't exactly lit up the majors when
He gets the opportunity. He is doing well in ST but, there is a whole lot of difference playing the ST games in comparison to playing in the regular season games. Case in point: Dewon Brazelton.
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Cormier showed he was a capable reliever in the AL East last year.
As a starter he’s sucked, but in his one full season in relief, he was better than anything Jason Hammel has shown us at the major league level besides the Fenway game.
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 31, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Follow the money
The Rays must like Cormier, and would sure like to find a way to package Bradford’s salary (later in the season) with a prospect, keeping Lance as our grounder guy.
Thank you Oliver Stone
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Dec 17 2008
For his career, he is over 51% ground-ball, but in 2008 that number increased to 56.8% while his fly-ball percentage dropped from 27.5% to 22.00%
So what was different from 2008 than the seasons past? Pitch selection. Cormier has three main pitches: A fastball around 90, a cutter around 88 and a curveball around 78. In previous seasons he threw that fastball over 50% of the time, but in 2008 he dropped that way down to 28. While limiting his fastball, he started throwing his cutter a little more and his curveball a lot more. He threw his curveball almost 12 more in 2008 than in 2007 and 15% more than 2006. His career K/BB rate of 1.25 is poor and his SwStr% is unimpressive, but then again so was Chad Bradford’s and Cormier won’t cost $3.5 million.
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 31, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
If the player being traded...
is viewed as a back of rotation started now he might not be being undervalued. Especially considering his roll on this team would be long relief. If he goes into long relief and is adequate or slightly abvove average does that improve his value over today when he is viewed as a 5th starter? Today we would have to release useful player such as Cormier or Izzy which does reduce our leverage but 2 months from now Price will be knocking on the door and we will be in the same situation barring a couple injuries…
All that said…if there are suddenly 6 team interested in Neimann or Hammel it would be curious to see how many of those teams would take on a Wheeler or Bradford. Different rolls I know but…
by Kevin Cowley on Mar 31, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Horn Self-Tootage
I must give myself a little credit for breaking this rumor weeks ago. Of course, I have not tied good links between Hammel or Niemann and the prospects likely to fetch them, but you have to know that the Pads are looking to make a deal, especially after seeing Baek go down. This just in, Chae Sueng Baek was penciled in as the Padres #3 starter. Wow, all of a sudden Edwin Jackson seems a lot more like Bob Gibson than I thought.
Way better than I originally thought.
Edwin 456 IP 4.92 FIP ~5.8 tRA
Baek 280 IP 4.44 FIP ~4.84 tRA
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but how many wins does he have?
Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.
-Al Lopez
by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 31, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL
I thought it was funny. I got your back.
I want Baldelli to be healthy enough to play in 150 games, I just hope he sucks. Like Greg Vaughn suck.
Aight dawg, but just so you know its Ride or Die 4 Life
Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.
-Al Lopez
by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 31, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year he was
But, I didn’t directly compare them, you just infered that from my feeble attempt at humor.
He's been better his entire career.
Baek’s pretty underrated though.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
If we could move Hammel for an IF who is a few years away with a little potential
I wouldn’t say that’s selling him for below value, considering what I think options are worth.
I could be wrong though
You know the more I think of it,
The more I am annoyed by Sheffield. He didn’t want anything to do with the D-Rays back in ’04 when we could have used him to build around. So, I say forget you Gary Sheffield!
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions
He's also not the nicest guy around. He's no Cliff Floyd.
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Mar 31, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Gary Sheffield is the baseball equivelent to Dieon Sanders
Check out my blog on web development at kericr.wordpress.com
I thought Deion did experiment in drugs in the early 90's but found Jesus
and put all of it aside, or am I out in left field?
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
you mean besides women?
ba-zing!
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
He did do the almost suicide then finding Jesus thing
Frankly, with the way he was acting in the 90’s, if he didn’t try drugs, I would be absolutely flabbergasted.
Check out my blog on web development at kericr.wordpress.com
He played for the Cowboys in the 90s
Michael Irvin, Nate Newton, Eric Williams… there’s a reason they were called “South America’s Team”
I love Sheffield.
Have met him multiple times, and he was always really cool. Sad to see so many people follow the media in throwing a local guy under the bus.
Not saying anything really negative about him.
All I am saying is he didn’t want anything to do with us in ’04 we could have used him in our line up.
2004 Opening Day Line-up:
Carl Crawford, lf
Damian Rolls, 3b
Rocco Baldelli, cf
Aubrey Huff, dh
Jose Cruz Jr., rf
Tino Martinez, 1b
Julio Lugo, ss
Rey Sanchez, 2b
Toby Hall, c
Victor Zambrano, p
We could have used him as the RF/DH and moved Huff to 3B. I am just a little bitter that the “Hometown guy” didn’t want to play for his “hometown team” until the end of his career. And yes, I realize that he wanted to play for the Rays last year if we could have traded for him.
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Isringhausen Update
After meeting with Rays officials in Port Charlotte this morning, RHP Jason Isringhausen indicated the team was trying to find a way to keep him.
The 36-year-old veteran wasn’t told he had made the squad, but said: "We’re going to be creative about something. I don’t know all the particulars. You’ll have to talk to them. We’ll figure something out.’’
Isringhausen, who came into the clubhouse this morning joking that he was glad to see his nameplate was still above his locker, said the creativity would not include an assignment to the minor leagues. He also said he would be with the Rays for the weekend exhibtions in Philadelphia.
Uhhhhh…..
www.draysbay.com
And personally, regardless what happens, I don't think I like keeping him if it isn't to stash him in Durham.
If he thinks he can contribute on a major league roster right now with his blazing 86MPH fastball and missing arm strength, go ahead and let him try.
Check out my blog on web development at kericr.wordpress.com
He fails to realize he is no longer overly valuable.
I cannot wait for this to end like Chad Harville.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I reallyt believe
having him and Percy on the staff is the best way to attack the closer’s role
Balfour absolutely frightens e
The best way to attack the closer role would be to eliminate it.
Why do you want Izzy, outside of name recognition?
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Just stop this act already.
It’s not going to happen, so just have a debate with the way things are in mind.
I would have responded “Why does Balfour frighten you? Is it all the strike-outs or just the miniscule FIP?”
...
“Why do you want Izzy, outside of name recognition?”
He’s stated why Balfour scares him many times.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
That came off as more harsh than I meant.
I don’t disagree with you about him, but I do think we need to move past the “get rid of the closer” spiel. It does no good to harp on it rather than operating under the assumption we’ll use one.
Nobody is harping on it.
“having him and Percy on the staff is the best way to attack the closer’s role”
" The best way to attack the closer role would be to eliminate it. "
Obviously that didn’t play off as I hoped.
Just drop the act Glass.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't feel that Izzy is done at all
i am quite concerned with Balfour and his ability to a) throw strikes and b) use an off speed pitch once in a while
i am quite concerned with Balfour and his ability to a) throw strikes
BB/9: Balfour 3.7, Isringhausen 4.64
Papelbon and Rivera use their offspeed stuff less.
SO what’s the issue?
Neither of those walk totals are indicative of their career rates.
Izzy: 3.86
Balfour: 4.89
Of course, Balfour’s strikeout ability has him with a lower career FIP.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
OK
It’s also helpful to look at their trends. Balfour appears to be getting better and Izzy has been pretty dreaful the last 3 years.
Or, more productively, look at three year averages.
Or two years for Balfour.
Both come out to be about 4.8 BB/9.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
hey glass slow down
i’m not saying i dislike Balfour,just not as giddy on someone who has really less than a full year at the MLB level and is 30+ yo
'Hello Mr. Shapiro
i’ll take Rondon, Abreu and Brantley"
is this really the case?
i think of the reliever that comes into the 7th or 8th inning in a tied game or maybe down one with a couple of runners on. No one (almost no one) uses their closer here but isn’t this where you REALLY need an out or two?
Then I think of the closer that gets to start the inning with a 3 run lead.
I don’t know, I realize that closers come into one run games as well, but it just seems like closers are very overrated.
Regressing to the mean streets of St. Pete
by stpetelawyer on Mar 31, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Generally
Thing is, if you had no closer at all, then you could adjust to have a pitcher only come in the highest leverage situations, whether it be 2 on and no out in the 7th or with a one run lead to start the ninth. But if you have a set closer, the closer will end up with the highest leverage by default, simply because they’ll ONLY be used in high leverage situations, and there isn’t usually a huge difference in the leverage between the two situations I just described above.
Vogt early, Vogt often.
Thankfully for us fans, Andrew
understands the unexplainable regression bullpens suffer from year to year, and has gone to great lengths to off set it
The way the front office works
is a lot like watching someone play chess. At first one tends to react like “oh no, why did you do that? That was stupid.” Then after a moment or so you see the big picture and you realize all the little moves are merely setting a winning match.
In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!
by thebaddancingraysfan on Mar 31, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
A regular reader of this site
can logically decipher every one of Andrew’s moves
An additional list of players who would prefer the Rays:
Scott Hatteberg
Richie Sexson
Frank Thomas
Jose Vidro
Ray Durham
Damion Easley
Marcus Giles
Mark Grudzielanek
Enrique Cruz
Abraham O. Nunez
Brady Clark
Jim Edmonds
Luis Gonzalez
David Newhan
Trot Nixon
Jay Payton
Dave Roberts
Shannon Stewart
Daryle Ward
Gary Bennett
Rob Bowen
Johnny Estarada
Paul Lo Duca
Guillermo Quiroz
Paul Byrd
Shawn Chacon
Chuck James
Jon Lieber
Esteban Loaiza
Pedro Martinez
Mark Mulder
Odalis Perez
Mark Redman
Ben Sheets
Steve Trachsel
Rick Bauer
Armando Benitez
Yhency Brazoban
Andrew Brown
Brendan Donnelly
Scott Elarton
Keith Foulke
Eric Gagne
Julio Mateo
Kent Mercker
Jailen Peguero
Ricardo Rincon
Rudy Seanez
Phil Stockman
Tyler Walker
Why would paul byrd want to play here, since he sucks.
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
Just Say No to Phil Stockman
Reminds me too much of Kevin Stocker
Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.
-Al Lopez
by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 31, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
i prefer Chris Nelson over Sheffield.
can we please get this done? Chris Nelson is like the 04 version of Beckham [but Beckham will be better]. Nelson can be our Barry Larkin at 2B
So
If Gary Sheffield is interested in signing with the Rays, they seem at least willing to think about it, though it seems he would have to be able to play rightfield since Pat Burrell is going to be the primary DH.
"That’s very complimentary that he would want to come play for us,’’ manager Joe Maddon said. "I have so much respect for this guy as a baseball player.
Don’t see it but I guess Maddon would like to see him reach the milestone with the Rays
Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart
Um, we actually value defense.
And Sheff’s bat is not where it once was.
by R.J. Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont want the guy either
but Maddon seems more intrigued than I would think and must not be filling the Gabe’s with confidence.
Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart
I'll take him over BenZo in the outfield.
“Stuff you stick in your butt” power > Performance Enhancing Deities
by ReasonableDoubt on Mar 31, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't find the quote
But Maddon says he sees Joyce as a future middle of the order hitter and a #7 now, I think he is leaving heavily towards MFJ here late in spring
Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart
oh here
Joe Maddon spoke highly of Matt Joyce’s potential, saying he sees him as a middle-of-the-order hitter in the future, but that he would hit 6th or 7th now. Maddon said, "But, I mean, this guy has some kind of potential with the bat."
Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart
Philly likes Sheff
Amaro also said the Phillies have contacted the agent for Gary Sheffield, who the Tigers just released. Sheffield could be a bit now that the Phillies have released Geoff Jenkins
.
www.draysbay.com
makes sense
they need someone to make Ibanez look good in left.
Kaz/Shields/Garza/Sonny/Price/Davis/Hellickson-necessitate a drool cup or a 7 man rotation
by CubFanRaysaddict on Mar 31, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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